New Mom Wonders If She Is Unreasonable For Calling Husband Selfish For Planning 2-Week Trip Without Her
"I already bear the brunt of parenting duties while my husband takes care of the baby for maybe a few hours a day after work."
A 28-year-old mom is stuck in the most annoying kind of fight, the one where everyone acts like you’re “being difficult” for wanting basic fairness. She and her husband have not traveled abroad since their wedding in 2020, and then March brought a baby, turning every plan into a diaper duty schedule.
So when her husband starts planning a two-week trip with friends, the timing feels brutal. He’s also leaning into hobbies and socializing, while OP is the one running the baby show, day after day. She wants to join him, but he’s acting like her presence is optional, and he’s not exactly pulling his weight at home.
Now OP is wondering if calling him selfish is unreasonable, or if this is just the moment she finally snaps.
The couple hasn't traveled abroad since their wedding in 2020 because of COVID-19, and they welcomed a baby in March.

OP is feeling upset because her husband is prioritizing a trip with friends and spending more time on hobbies and socializing, leaving OP to take care of the baby.

Before COVID, they loved to travel, and OP wanted to join him on his two-week trip.
The last time they traveled abroad, it was their wedding in 2020, and now OP is watching the same “travel” dream turn into a solo mission for him.
The situation described reflects the complexities of modern parenthood and the expectations placed on both partners in a relationship. Research indicates that perceptions of fairness and shared responsibilities can significantly impact relationship satisfaction.
This dynamic often highlights the need for open communication and negotiation about responsibilities within the family unit.
OP is asking whether she is being unreasonable for wanting to go on a trip with her husband.
OP needs to ensure her next trip is her own, with a two-week break while he looks after the baby.
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He is being unreasonable for asking for OP's help in planning it.
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While her husband is out plotting a two-week getaway with friends, OP is stuck doing the heavy lifting with the baby and feeling completely sidelined.
Research indicates that couples who discuss and negotiate their responsibilities are more likely to enjoy satisfying relationships. When partners express their needs and feelings openly, they create an environment of mutual understanding and support.
In this case, addressing the imbalance in parenting duties through honest dialogue could help alleviate feelings of resentment.
He's intentionally provoking OP by excluding her from his private vacation with friends.
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Things won't change unless OP asserts herself.
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OP's husband isn't just causing issues with the trip; he's also not contributing much to parenting and wants to leave for two weeks without taking responsibility.
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The real sting is that when OP tries to line up her own two-week break, he acts like her request is the problem, not his imbalance.
It’s a lot like the Reddit case where a boyfriend backed out last minute, and the woman refused to split costs.
Shared values and parenting philosophies can significantly influence relationship dynamics.
OP's husband's behavior is selfish and insensitive.
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OP's husband should reconsider his commitment to family.
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OP should get more support.
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He’s not just excluding her from his friends trip, he’s also pushing for two weeks away without taking responsibility, and OP can’t ignore the pattern anymore.
Practical strategies for addressing the concerns raised could include establishing a family schedule that clearly delineates parenting duties.
OP's husband doesn't seem to acknowledge his role as a father.
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OP should ensure that her next trip is just for her, and she should take a two-week break while her husband takes care of the baby. It's not fair that the husband is asking for help in planning a trip from which he is excluding OP. This is somewhat mean.
The husband isn't doing much to help with parenting, and he wants to leave for two weeks without taking care of the baby. This is selfish.
The husband needs to reflect on his commitment to the family and realize that he should be a good father.
OP should ask for more help and support. Overall, the husband is not acting like a responsible father and partner.
Addressing Resentment Through Communication
Resentment in relationships often arises from unmet needs and expectations.
The new mother’s feelings of resentment towards her husband’s decision to take a two-week trip without her underscore the emotional strain that can accompany parenthood. It is essential for couples to engage in open dialogue about their individual needs and expectations, especially during such a transformative time. By creating a cooperative atmosphere, both partners can not only navigate the complexities of raising a child but also reinforce their relationship, ensuring that both feel supported and understood in their parenting journey.
He might be shocked to learn that leaving OP with the baby for two weeks is not a vacation plan, it’s a relationship test.
Before you decide, read the AITA mom who fought her partner’s unilateral Japan vacation plans.